“It’s one big happy family. And if you look at some of the Youtube video, and I encourage people to do that, you’ll see the cats hanging out together. And that’s something people just don’t believe, is how well they all get a long out here. There’s no fighting,” said Grant.

Grant was arrested back on February 27th. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals arrived that day to perform what they say was a rescue mission.

“I would more commonly characterize it as a raid, not an investigation, was done by a, a private interest group, not located in this county, that had an agenda. And it was a very one sided raid,” said Chuck Collins, an attorney representing Grant in the case.

Grant’s on-site manager, Nanette Entricken,said her own personal cats were also taken from her home.

“They’ve been gone to me five weeks today, and um, they refuse to return them, because they claim they’re state evidence even though they’ve never been on the ranch,” said Entricken.

For now, Grant and Entricken focus on improving the property. They requested a permit to upgrade the facility. A custody hearing for the cats was postponed this week so the County can review the request.

“To even remotely characterize this for one minute as criminal activity I believe is outrageous. And we we look very forward to defending it in court,” said Collins.

“We keep fighting because we’re not gonna stop until they come home. Both the Caboodle cats and my own. Because what was done was a total violation of our rights, and their rights,” said Entricken.

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[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida – April 4, 2012 –

Caboodle Ranch owner Craig Grant is facing a class action lawsuit. Now, his attorney is speaking out. Grant was arrested following a PETA investigation back in February. Craig pled not guilty to animal cruelty charges. His attorney said anyone filing suit against his client should make sure they have their facts straight.

“I think that consulting the local veterinarians, animal control officer, even the state attorney’s office, might be a good idea to marshall the truthful facts, rather than rely upon blogs by outside interest groups,” says David Collins, attorney for Caboodle Ranch owner Craig Grant.

The ASPCA removed 692 cats from the ranch in what they call a rescue mission. People involved in the suit say grant used donations to the ranch for personal expenses.

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[UPDATE] Madison County, Florida – April 2, 2012 –

692 cats were removed from the property known as the Caboodle Ranch in February. Property owner Craig Grant was arrested at that time.

“Mr. Grant professes, and vigorously maintains, his innocence,” said Grant’s attorney, David Collins.

Grant would take in unwanted cats for a $100.00 fee. Grant said that money was for food and care for the cats.

Donors to the ranch who’ve filed suit claim Grant misused that money .

In a press release, they stated they have proof Grant used funds for, “numerous financial transactions such as airline flights, trips to Las Vegas, tickets to Disney On Ice, and Daytona 500.”

“What does anyone get out of it? Outside of this guy is gonna maybe lose everything he has. No one else is gonna gain anything from it. The animals are already gone. They’re safe. Who’s gonna gain?” said George King, a Monticello resident.

Original Article:  http://www.wctv.tv/home/headlines/Caboodle_Ranch_Cat_Sanctuary_Operator_Faces_Cruelty_Charges_140581263.html

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